Dartmoor Devon

Monday, 21 March 2011

Luxury Country House Hotel and Restaurant in the heart of Dartmoor.Nestled among ancient hills at the end of an avenue of long established Beech trees, Prince Hall is the ultimate base from which to explore the walks and wilderness of Dartmoor National Park.

Just imagine your romantic weekend or a luxury retreat for fishing or shooting. A pampering weekend getaway or just relaxing for a few days in the spectacular setting of Dartmoor. So many reasons to visit Prince Hall country house hotel for your Devon holiday. The splendid untamed Dartmoor moorland landscape overlooking the River Dart combined with luxury accommodation all adds to creating lasting memories.

Start from the hotel and afterwards return to a lounge with log fires and sink into big, squashy armchairs. This quintessential Devon country house hotel is a Dartmoor discovery. Within yards is the River Dart and its prestigious trout fishing. Clay pigeon shooting, rough or sport shooting can all be arranged. All organised by the hotel specifically for you – just ask Fi or the staff. http://www.princehall.co.uk/

Vast landscapes, brooding storms and an abundance of wildlife; Dartmoor covers some 368 square miles and is one of the UK’s last remaining true wildernesses. Beautiful scenery abounds and every season brings its own delights and colours.

It is the perfect place to get away from it all. Time stalked tors - Dartmoor’s dramatic exposed granite hilltops - dominate the skyline and snake right across the National Park. The night skies are crystal clear and perfect for star gazing.

The high ground of Dartmoor forms the catchment area for many of Devon's rivers. As well as shaping the landscape, these have traditionally provided a source of power for moor industries such as tin mining and quarrying, the scars from both can be seen right across the moor. Some of the Bronze Age hut circles are over 3,000 years old and there are ruined 18th century engine houses scattered across the moor.

Farming is the main industry now. As well as the herds of Ruby Red cattle and hardy sheep grazing freely, the famous Dartmoor ponies are a familiar and much loved sight. At almost every turn there are stunning views and the opportunity for an invigorating walk. Rock climbing, trekking, fishing or kayaking down any number of rivers like the Dart or Tavy are also very popular with more active visitors.

The diversity of Dartmoor provides an abundance of great days out and special places to explore. There are plenty of interesting towns encircling Dartmoor that provide a pleasant respite from the wild, untamed moorlands. Tavistock is a charming ancient stannary town brimming with shops and reputed to be the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England rate it as the Best Market Town in the country and its Victorian architecture attracts a discerning food and art loving crowd. Other towns worth visiting include Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, Chagford and Mortonhamstead. Princetown, the highest settlement on the moor, is famous for its legendary ‘Jail Ale’ and imposing Victorian Prison. There are also plenty of National Trust properties located near to these towns including the dramatic Lydford Gorge, Castle Drogo, Buckland Abbey and Cothele House.

Centrally located to discover all of these and an excellent base for exploring the rest of the moor is Prince Hall Hotel. Run by Fi & Chris Daily this eight bedroom hotel is not only the perfect, welcoming bolthole to enjoy and discover Dartmoor from, it is also extremely dog friendly, renowned for it’s food and well suited for trying any number of outdoor pursuits.